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A Closer Look at Winter Damage

But first, take a look at this gorgeous rainbow that we had on Friday! The five-day stretch of warm temperatures last week really jump-started the garden. Now that plants are putting out new growth, it is easier to see what kind of damage the winter left. Back in mid-January, we experienced five straight days of below-freezing temperatures. This caused much damage in Portland and areas where frigid winds were a factor. Here, we were fortunate to not get the wind and the cold temperatures were dampened by a blanket of snow. That said, it was a tough time for the garden and there are noticeable casualties but no outright deaths that I have seen. The bottlebrush ( Callistemon 'Woodlander's Red') did not like the cold at all. It was planted six years ago, in the north-facing garden no less, and I've not experienced die-back on it until now. A local expert said to cut it all the way back so that is what I did. If it doesn't make it, I won't be too distraught. It is

DVD Giveaway

Congratulations to RobinL, who is the winner of the contest!

I recently received a great documentary and want to pass it along. Gardeners will love this! The subjects of "Portrait of a Garden" are a country estate owner in the Netherlands and an 85 year old pruning expert. The film follows them during the course of a year as they work in a vast kitchen garden. They grow every fruit and vegetable you can think of (and some that I had never heard of). Most of their time is spent painstakingly pruning espalied fruit trees. They chat about their methods (which they have been practicing since the days of Louis XIV) and how the world once revered great gardeners while today it is sadly a diminishing art. There is little dialog however (and the language is Dutch with English subtitles). Mostly the camera lingers on nature, resulting in exquisite photography. The beautiful images are accompanied by a mellow score. The whole film is mesmerizing (or it was for me) and I enjoyed it very much.

To enter the contest, just leave a comment to this post and include your e-mail address so that I can contact you if you are the winner. The deadline for entering is midnight, April 9. I will use a random number generator to select a winner.

Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy

Comments

  1. This sounds like something I would like to see.
    bowerbird53atsbcglobaldotnet

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  2. How fun, count me in! robinleja@gmail.com

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  3. Thanks for the giveaway! Vujade1 at Gmail dot com

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  4. Hi Phillip, that sounds like and interesting documentary indeed. Please enter me in the drawing. Thnaks!
    christina@organicgardendreams.com

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  5. Fantastic contest; I'll link it. Shoalanda.Speaks@gmail.com

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  6. Have been trying to get fruit from my espalier trees for years. Love your post.

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  7. Please put my name in the hat - morehiways at cox dot net

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  8. I look forward to receiving the DVD with great anticipation. Thanks.

    plantlustlita@gmail.com

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  9. Thanks for bringing this DVD to my attention, Phillip.

    I'm going to see if I can get my local library to order it!

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  10. Sounds beautiful! I am sure it would give me some great ideas.

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  11. This sounds like a great documentary! Thanks for having the giveaway! My wife and I would really enjoy this! Thanks for the chance!

    oliverspendulum@yahoo.com

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  12. Would love this dvd. Could watch gardening experts all day.

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  13. Please add my name to the list.
    Jeannie
    GetMeToTheCountry.Blogspot.com
    jmorrrris9@gmail.com

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  14. Learning about the tried and true methods and some unusual varieties sounds like fun!
    ricklet@centurylink.net

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  15. Oh, what fun! Count me in! Gardenspirit13@gmail.com

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